Arc. 388R
Methodologies of Architectural History
Prof. Anthony M. Alofsin.
The Works of Achyut Kanvinde.
Vikram Sarabhai
Fig.6. Darpana, Ahmedabad, 1962 Fig.7. Hariballabhdas House, Ahmedabad, 1968
Vikram Sarabhai, an important person in Nehru’s group of ‘nation builders’ did research on photo fission at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge and in 1947, he was awarded his Ph.D. from the Cambridge University. He was named the Director of the new research facility in Ahmedabad, the PRL, where he could devote himself to fundamental research. But he had a wide multi-disciplinary vision, with his wife Mrinalini, a renowned exponent of classical dances he had even started Darpana, an institution of the performing arts. During the construction of PRL, he met Kanvinde and became a close friend. He had helped found the ATIRA to do applied research of direct interest to industry and was its director. Kanvinde, naturally was the person chosen to build this institute which made him come in contact with the Ahmedabad textile- industrial society. This new potential of pursuing his own architectural vision made Kanvinde resign from his job in 1955 to found his practice with Rai. Sarabhai and others ensured a steady flow of works. The first buildings from this association were Darpana Dance School, at Ahmedabad, completed in 1962 (Fig.6) and Hariballabhdas House, at Ahmedabad, completed in 1968 (Fig.7).
With Mallika and Dr. Sarabhai, Kanvinde gradually developed a common vision of architectural profession in the young nation tied with the other arts and humanities. The state sponsored vision of ‘New India’, as he had himself translated into architecture failed to offer this ‘identity’. Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh had by this time been completed and these persons were sceptic of its wide-ranging acclaim and its relevance. These concerns made Kanvinde organise the Lalit Kala Akademi seminar in 1959 where Nehru himself addressed and responded to the professionals’ debate. Opening the discussion, Kanvinde observed that "Our architectural expression is in a most confused state as there is neither clear thinking nor definite ideology…the architects who are confronted with problems peculiar to modern functional design have to, at the same time, create an rchitectural expression that would reflect the present-day culture of India". Nehru retorted with "…you may agree or disagree with what has been attempted at Chandigarh…but it has changed your lives". A year after this, Kanvinde was given a unique oppurtunity at IIT, (Fig.8,9) at Kanpur to test his own advice.
Fig.8. IIT, Kanpur, 1961-66
Fig.9. IIT, Kanpur, 1961-66
The relation with Sarabhai having so deepened; Kanvinde was now being consulted on various matters. Dr.Sarabhai had helped to found the IIM in Ahmedabad in 1962, and worked as its honorary director. In this ideologically charged context, Kanvinde had an important role in Louis Kahn’s selection as the architect. Dr. Sarabhai died in 1971 and a quarter of a century of a memorable association came to an end. . Between 1947 to 1971, Dr. Sarabhai was responsible for creating more than 25 institutions in various fields of science, management, education, research and performing arts and Kanvinde was intimately involved with shaping most of those. Dr. Sarabhai was largely responsible in making Indian Space program as strong as it is today . The fact that Kanvinde earned the confidence and respect of such men reveals as much about the architect as about the patrons.
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